At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workplace transformation and enhance operational performance across multiple sites.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE100 company committed to supporting your career transition.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, flexible working, mentorship, and real project experience.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and networking with senior leaders.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact while transitioning from military or elite sports to a corporate role.
- Qualifications: Experience in change projects, strong communication skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
September 2026 Intake
Location: UK wide. Hybrid with regular travel to office sites required. For example: Leicester, Stockport, London, Windsor, Reading
Length of Placement: 12-month Fixed Term Contract with significant potential to roll off into a Permanent role
A programme designed to help you thrive during career transition. This role supports you as you transition into a new career from the Armed Forces or elite sports. Five placement roles are available; this is the Workplace Lead role.
What you’ll do:
As a Workplace Lead, you’ll enable the performance and growth of Centrica by combining workplace transformation delivery with strong operational leadership across a portfolio of sites. The role ensures workplaces are not only safe and functional but actively managed as a performance enabler for collaboration, connection and productivity. This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role operating across two critical dimensions:
- Transformation Delivery
- Deliver workplace change programmes (moves, refurbishments, new concepts, employee experience improvements), embed new ways of working and support colleagues through change journeys
- Operational Delivery
- Own the day‑to‑day performance of the workplace environment, resolve issues, optimise services and drive consistency
This combination reflects Centrica’s shift to an outcome‑led workplace model, where workplace is managed as a system—not just a set of buildings.
Key Accountabilities
- Transformation & Change Delivery
- Deliver workplace change activity across assigned locations, ensuring safe, smooth and high‑quality implementation
- Translate workplace strategy into practical delivery, embedding standards, concepts and colleague journeys
- Support change readiness, communication and adoption of new ways of working
- Operational Leadership & Performance
- Take accountability for workplace outcomes across a defined portfolio (experience, utilisation, service performance)
- Establish a strong operational rhythm (issues, escalation, communications, stakeholder engagement) to ensure consistency and pace
- Identify risks, resolve issues quickly and ensure workplace readiness at all times
- Insight & Continuous Improvement
- Use data, feedback and observation to identify improvement opportunities
- Drive continuous improvement in workplace processes, experience and service delivery
- Support the move from reactive issue management to proactive optimisation
- Supplier & Partner Management
- Work closely with FM partners & suppliers to ensure delivery against agreed standards & SLAs
- Monitor performance, challenge where required & elevate issues to achieve outcomes
- Ensure services support the intended workplace experience and ways of working
- Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Build strong relationships with business leaders, People teams and enabling functions
- Act as a credible, trusted interface between Workplace and the business
- Influence decisions, align stakeholders and ensure workplace supports business outcomes
- Digital & Behavioural Adoption
- Support the adoption of workplace technology, tools and digital solutions
- Reinforce behaviours that maximise the value of workplace investment
- Help colleagues & leaders understand how to use space, tech & time together effectively
Qualifications
- Experience delivering change projects or operational improvements in a complex organisation
- Strong operational capability—run and prioritise across multiple activities and stakeholders
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to translate strategy into practical delivery
- Proven track record of delivering outcomes that improve experience, quality or efficiency
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast‑paced change environments
- Experience in workplace, estates, facilities, operations or service environments
- Experience of working with suppliers or external partners
- Experience in matrix environments
- High levels of ownership and accountability
- A collaborative and inclusive mindset
- An ability to balance strategic intent with operational delivery
- Someone who is results‑oriented, pragmatic and resilient
Benefits
- On placement you’ll have a dedicated business mentor and opportunities to meet senior leaders
- Real project & transformation experience in a FTSE100 organisation
- £50,000 salary for the 12‑month placement
- Flexible working and travel to office locations only when collaboration is needed
- Access to employee networks
- A buddy from our Ex‑Military or Athlete communities
- For service leavers: the chance to begin placement during your final four resettlement weeks
Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Windsor employer: Centrica
Centrica is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, particularly those transitioning from military or elite sports backgrounds. With a strong focus on workplace transformation and operational excellence, you will benefit from real project experience in a FTSE100 organisation, alongside a dedicated mentor and access to employee networks. The hybrid working model and flexible travel arrangements ensure a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation across various UK locations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Windsor
✨Get Involved with University Career Services
Uni career services are a goldmine for placement opportunities, especially in corporate leadership roles. They often host workshops and employer meet-and-greets, so make sure you attend—it's a brilliant way to connect with recruiters and get the inside scoop on what companies like Centrica are looking for.
✨Tap into Leadership Clubs and Organisations
Join student leadership clubs and societies; they’re great places to not only develop your skills but also meet industry professionals. Networking within these communities can lead to invaluable connections that might just land you a placement with a company like Centrica.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills Online
Use platforms like LinkedIn to share your insights on leadership trends or success stories from group projects. Engage with posts from industry leaders and brands like Centrica. This visibility can definitely catch the eye of recruiters looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you're ready to apply for that dream placement, head straight to our website. We often have the latest opportunities listed there, so keep an eye out for roles at Centrica and be sure to submit your application early to stand out in the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Windsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Leadership Potential:In your CV and cover letter, highlight your leadership experience, even if it's from group projects or clubs. We want to see evidence of your ability to motivate and manage others, so include specific examples where you took charge or facilitated a group's success, whether in school or in your community.
Tailor Your Application to Corporate Culture:Research Centrica and make sure your application reflects its corporate values and culture. Use insights from their website or social media to inform your language and examples. This shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being part of their team.
Focus on Your Learning Journey:Since this is a placement, show us why you’re keen to learn and grow. Your cover letter should express your eagerness to gain real-world experience in corporate leadership and how you aim to apply what you learn. It’s not just about what you can bring to the table, but also what you hope to gain from the experience.
Be Clear About Your Availability:In your application, make sure to be upfront about when you can start and if you have any commitments that might affect your placement. This helps Centrica plan better and shows you’re organised, which is key in corporate environments!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica
✨Show Your Leadership Potential
In corporate leadership management, it's all about demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide teams. Come prepared with examples from your coursework or previous experiences where you took the initiative or managed a project — even if it was a group assignment. This will show Centrica that you can handle the responsibilities that come with the role.
✨Understand Organisational Dynamics
Brush up on concepts related to organisational behaviour and team dynamics, as these are crucial in management roles. Be ready to discuss how you would navigate conflicts or motivate team members in various scenarios; even hypothetical ones can showcase your thought processes. Use this knowledge to connect your answers back to how you would fit into Centrica’s culture.
✨Focus on Learning and Growth
Since this is a placement, employers are keen on your willingness to learn. Emphasise your motivation to develop skills and gain experience in leadership. Talk about what you hope to learn at Centrica and how this placement aligns with your career aspirations, showcasing that you’re committed to growing alongside the team.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Current Trends
Keep an eye on current trends in corporate leadership and management, such as agile leadership or remote team management. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Centrica that you're engaged with the industry and ready to bring fresh ideas to the table. Think about how these trends could apply to their specific operations and prepare some thoughts in advance.
